Ohio State's Urban Meyer thankful for his seniors

COLUMBUS -- Just before noon Saturday, 21 seniors on the Ohio State football team will run across the field during pregame introductions as part of the program's annual senior day festivities.

Coach Urban Meyer is thankful none of them went running out the door nearly a year ago when he and the team members were informed they would not be eligible to play in a bowl game this year.

"Those kids could have all went wherever they wanted to go," Meyer said earlier this week as his team was preparing for Saturday's noon kickoff against rival Michigan. "I still remember that day when we walked in, and (AD Gene Smith) said, 'You're not going to a bowl game.' I thought, 'We're not what?'

"And then my mind started thinking about this year's team. Those seniors, if I remember right, if I read the rules right, they (could) pick up and go without punishment."

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The door was open to leave.

None did.

"I called a team meeting. Within 15 minutes, we had one," Meyer said. "I kept the seniors after. I had no idea who they were, and they didn't know me, so it was a leap of faith.

"It's tough. I usually get emotional talking about those guys."

So when those 21 seniors run across the turf to be greeted by Meyer prior to Saturday's game, an emotional moment is expected.

Meyer gives an immense amount of credit to the senior class for helping put the Buckeyes where they are -- 11-0 heading into Saturday's game with the undisputed Leaders Division championship sewn up. Because of NCAA sanctions, Ohio State is not eligible for the league title game nor a bowl, but Meyer credits the senior class for picking the program back up.

"Now that I know them, I know exactly why they stayed," Meyer said. "For the love of Ohio State. It's really cool in this day and age to witness that. We're forever indebted to them because they didn't have to do what they did."

The OSU players who met with the media earlier this week vividly remember the day they were informed of the bowl ban. The Buckeyes were on a visit to a hospital around the Christmas holiday when they were informed.

"I know we were all together when we found out," senior defensive back Zach Domicone said. "It was last year before the bowl game. We were coming back from a hospital visit. All the upcoming seniors were on the same bus."

There was never any consideration of anyone leaving, even if Meyer feared such.

"I don't really know a word to describe it, but we just all stuck together," senior Zach Boren said. "I think when Coach Meyer came in ... we just sat down and said we have to stick together and help lead this young team."

Boren, along with defensive lineman John Simon, are among Meyer's favorites. Simon for his work ethic and tenacity, Boren for his selflessness in moving from fullback to linebacker to make up for an injury-depleted linebacking unit.

"You want someone to write a book," Meyer said. "Wow, that would be good if you go write a book on Zach Boren."

Meyer also thought back to the summertime when Simon joined him to watch Meyer's son, Nate, play a baseball game in Youngstown area.

"That just tells you what he's all about," Meyer said. "He's the best. The best."

Those are the types of things that will likely be going through the mind of Meyer as the seniors come across the field one by one before their last game in an Ohio State uniform.

Defensive lineman Garrett Goebel said: "Life is 10 percent what happens and 90 percent how you react." He's proud of how he and his teammates have bounced back from last year's 6-7 season.

Linebacker Etienne Sabino accentuated the importance of completing the undefeated season. "The last thing you want to do is leave here with that pit in your stomach," he said.

Most of all, the Buckeyes -- particularly the seniors -- and to finish what they started. What they returned to do.